Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The social work role requires practitioners to demonstrate proficiency in applying relevant knowledge and skills in complex situations. In order to integrate and contextualise the theoretical knowledge students have obtained thus far in their course, they are required to undertake work integrated learning (WIL) where they will demonstrate satisfactory achievement of the six AASW Practice Standards. This initial 245 hours of the first placement provides the beginning practitioner with opportunities to appreciate the application of social work knowledge and skills in a workplace, and examine the influences of practice methods, clients, staff, organisational, cultural and community factors on program and intervention processes and outcomes. They will undertake tasks and responsibilities of a student practitioner under the guidance and direction of an agency supervisor.

Aims

This unit aims to provide students with:

• A self-directed learning opportunity to address the specific requirements of the AASW six practice standards and to develop their social work practice knowledge, skills, and cultural sensitivity, particularly in the assessment and intervention areas;


• Practice experience in an initial student social work practitioner role and agency;


• Opportunities to integrate the learning achieved in theoretical units thus far with their personal practice style and orientation, and practice realities and issues;


• Awareness of, and preparation for, their ongoing professional development needs; and


• An awareness of their personal knowledge, skills, experience and suitability regarding direction towards their final Social Work Field Education 2A&B experience leading to relevant career and sector employment opportunities.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students' learning outcomes [consistent with their Professional Learning Plan (PLP)] should be directly linked to and demonstrate achievement of the six AASW core practice standards and the AASW Code of Ethics (2010), which are:

1. Direct practice including casework, community work and group work;


2. Service management including managing service provision and resources;


3. Organisational development and change;


4. Policy, including development and implementation of policies to promote fair and equitable allocation of social resources;


5. Research, including developing an evidence base to support and guide practice;


6. Education and professional development, including lifelong learning; and


7. Ethical practice embracing principles of Respect for persons; Social justice; and Professional integrity. These principles are based on a foundation of human rights, social justice and reconciliation and should be at the core of students' framework for social work practice (GVS1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7; GVS2 - 2.6; GVS3 - 3.1; GVS4 - 4.6, 4.7).

Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards: 2.1, 2.5, 2.13, 2.14, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1.1, 4.1.5, 4.1.6,
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Content

This unit enables students to begin developing their assessment and intervention skills along with their personal practice framework while undertaking 245 hours of practice in a social work agency supervised by an experienced social work practitioner. Students will be exposed to practice realities and issues having undertaken skills and practice-based units during their first two years of study. This unit continues that developmental process, albeit in a more intensive and directed manner.

Following the arrangement of a suitable placement, robust experientially-based learning is achieved by students who are required to develop a PLP that specifies learning goals and tasks consistent with the AASW practice standards, in consultation with their agency supervisor and university liaison staff. Students are required to hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and in QHealth placements, provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunity, before commencing placement. The unit consists of:

• 245 hours of direct practice experience in a social work agency under the supervision and direction of an experienced social work practitioner who will provide formative and summative feedback on the student's placement performance;


• Pre, during and post placement compulsory workshops that prepare students for placement and provide opportunities for ongoing support, assistance and direction in the student's learning. The workshops require students to complete/submit all activities, work collaboratively and to link theory with practice and are included in the 245 hours;


• Agency liaison visits by a member of the university staff or an experienced professional practitioner to provide support in the field context to both student and supervisor; and


• Peer support, both informal as directed by the student, and formal as part of the university workshop activities including participation in an on-line Blackboard Discussion board with their peers and entailing reflections of learnings and activities.


• Formative feedback to students is provided, either written or oral, on each of the workshop activities.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Explanatory note: All students are strongly encouraged to complete their first Social Work placement in one commitment of 490 hours (Placement 1A & 1B) at 3-5 days weekly. Placement 1A and 1B are configured to permit students to undertake the total placement hours over 2 consecutive semesters where appropriate. Agreement of the Placement Coordinator is required for this.

The education and professional preparation of social work practitioners may be viewed from a number of perspectives. The framework of this particular program reflects a commitment for professional practice to be:

• An articulated education (namely, education that actively articulates student learning on placement with student learning from the University context).


• An educational endeavour (a process actively informed by theories of adult education and experiential learning).


• A role governed process giving the key players in the process recognised tasks and particular contributions to make.


• This unit focuses on integrating the practice and theoretical aspects of the Social Work course. Students undertake experiential learning strategies in their SW agency setting in conjunction with the interactive workshops.


• In light of the off-campus placements, this unit fully utilises Blackboard capabilities to provide access to key reading and support materials. There is also a requirement by students to participate in a Discussion board which allows students to share their experiences and perspectives about their practice roles with their peers in a supportive environment.


• Students must enrol in the unit and attend a planning/preparation workshop approximately five months prior to the commencement of placement. The focus of this workshop is to provide students with university and agency requirements and expectations regarding their placement. All pre-on and post placement workshop have compulsory full participation and attendance requirements.


• In consultation with their agency supervisor and their university liaison person, students develop an individual PLP, which sets out key learning goals, objectives and strategies consistent with the AASW Practice Standards. The flexibility of the learning plan enables the student's learning needs to be identified and addressed and strategies to be directed toward meeting areas of particular relevance or interest. The learning plan includes a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) survey to be completed with the agency supervisor and noted in the learning plan against the relevant practice standards. The learning plan may also accommodate a project or piece of research developed in concert with the agency supervisor and agreed to by both student and supervisor. The project must be purposeful to the agency and a one page summary on completion included in the student's e-portfolio.The learning plan commences at the start of placement and is submitted to QUT at the final university workshop.

Assessment

Assessment in this unit is based on your performance during field placement. Performance in the unit will be graded as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). All performance requirements must be completed to a satisfactory standard to achieve an overall satisfactory grade for the unit. This is a designated unit. If you fail to successfully complete the assessment requirements to a satisfactory standard you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion.You will receive regular feedback on your performance during the placement via discussions with your supervisor which will include your progress in relation to the AASW Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, and your Professional Learning Plan.

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: During the field placement for this you will be required to demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills and values that are commensurate with the unit learning outcomes. The placement performance is set at AASW level 1, and/or 2 of achievement appropriate for a 3rd year, first placement student practitioner. Summative assessment is through mid and final placement reports. On the basis of these reports (and where necessary, external social work supervision reports and liaison visit reports) you will be awarded a Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory grade for this unit. You must also satisfy the 100% attendance requirement for this field placement (245 hours).

Outcome: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid/End Clin Placemt

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Bland, R., Renouf, N. & Tullgren, A. (2009). Social Work Practice in mental health: An introduction. Crows Nest NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Cleak, H. & Wilson, J. (2007). Making the most of field placement (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Thomson.

Payne, M. (2005). Modern social work theory (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Trevithick, P. (2005). Social work skills: A practice handbook. Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.

Suggested readings and an extensive reference list can be found in the BSW Field Education Manual for First Placement available on the QUT SWHS Home Page.

Risk assessment statement

You will be required to participate in 245 hours of off-campus work integrated learning practice experience. When undertaking field education placements you are automatically subject to the Workplace Health and Safety Policies, Procedures and Regulations operating within these particular agencies and also QUT WHS requirements. You are required by law to comply with these policies and procedures at all times. Measures undertaken to minimise risks encountered during the off-campus field education placement include:

Orientation is required to the agency Awareness/familiarisation of specific risks and hazards associated with the particular agency setting to which students have been assigned.

Adequate supervision by a qualified social worker is provided to minimise risk of unsatisfactory performance.

Appropriate theoretical and practical skill preparation prior to commencement of the placement is essential.

INSURANCE COVER:
Information regarding insurance cover for students undertaking university-approved activities within Australia is available at http://www.frp.qut.edu.au/services/insurance/student_accident.jsp

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Oct-2012